Continuous press



Feb. 7 1939. c. F. SCHERER CONTINUOUS PRESS Filed April 6, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fave/2607": Charles Fiche/er I Feb. 7, 1939. c SCHERER 2,146,158

CONTINUOUS PRESS Filed April 6, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 7, 1939. c. F. SCHERER CONTINUOUS PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 6, 1956 I- I I I I I II\ I I, II

Feb. 7, 1939. c. F. scHERER CONTINUOUS PRESS '5 SheetsSheet 4 Filed April 6, 1936 2 5 Jr "7 Q 2 Feb. 7, 1939. :v F. SCHERER CONTINUOUS PRESS Filed April 6, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fn-msvzior:

C/zarls FJc/wrer M Patented Feb. 7, 1 939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to presses, and has to do with presses of the rotary or continuous type in which two oppositely inclined rotating discs act upon the material being operated upon.

Presses of the general type above referred to are known in the art. In the known presses the discs exert maximum pressure upon the material throughout an extremely limited area and may be considered, with respect to maximum pressure, as having line contact only with the material. Presses of this type may be employed for treating various semi-solid materials, such as brewer's grain, beet pulp, wood pulp, and many other materials from which it is desired to remove the bulk of the water or moisture preliminary todrying. Brewer's grain and many other materials, when in a wet condition, particularly if a larger proportion of water than usual is present, are slippery and, when subjected to pressure between the discs, are readily displaced,

with the result that no effective pressing operation is exerted upon the material, in many in-- stances, if the moisture content thereof is excessive. In such case, the press is incapable of performing its intended function.

My invention is directed to the provision of a press which avoids the above noted objections to known presses of this type, above referred to, and is capable of handling relatively large quantitles of materials. A more specific object is to provide means whereby the material is confined in a closed compartment in such manner as to eliminate possibility of the material, during the pressing operation, flowing either radially or circumferentially of the discs. Further objects are the provision of improved means for mounting the strainer plates upon the discs in such manner as to facilitate removal and replacement thereof, the provision of strainer plates so formed and disposed that the material is subjected to maximum pressure between the discs throughout an area of considerable extent, and the provision of means whereby the speed of rotation of the discs may be varied to suit operating conditions. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an isometric front view of a press 50 embodying my invention, showing the driving mechanism and associated parts;

Figure 2 is an isometric back view of the press and associated driving mechanism and parts;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the press, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 3-4 of Figure 4, certain parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 4 is a central vertical sectional view taken through the press from front to back thereof, partly broken away, on a reduced scale relative to Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary underneath view of the press discs and associated parts, the casing being omitted, on an enlarged scale relative to Figure Figure 6 is an inner face view of one of the casing sections, the circumferential wall thereof being shown in section, on a reduced scale, and parts being broken away;

Figure 7 is a development, in section, of the cam track of the casing section shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an inner face view, on an enlarged scale relative to Figure 4, of one of the strainer plates, the screen thereof being partly broken away; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary outer face view of the strainer plate of Figure 8.

The press comprises a casing Hi formed of two opposed cup-shaped sections ll increasing in depth from top to bottom. Each section II is provided, centrally thereof, with a hub i2 having formed integrally therewith an inwardly pro- Jecting bearing sleeve [3, the outer portion of which is disposed in concentric spaced relation to the hub. Huh I! and sleeve l3 are inclined upwardly and inwardly of easing ill, the hub and the sleeve at one side of the casing being inclined oppositely to the hub and the sleeve at the other side thereof. The casing sections ii are secured together in any suitable manner, conveniently by bolting.

A cast iron bushing I4 is disposed about each sleeve I 3 and extends within a flanged bronze bushing l5 suitably secured, as by screws [8, to an outwardly extending elongated hub I! of a conical pressure disc l8. Bushing I5 extends within hub [1 between the latter and bushing II, as shown. The discs i8 are thus rotatably mounted within the casing III, are opposed and are oppositely inclined.

A tapered spacing ring l9, conforming in taper to the inclination of the discs I8, is disposed between the central portion of the discs, this ring being provided, at its inner portion, with lateral flanges 20 which seat in annular recesses in webs II of sleeve l3, to which webs the ring I! is secured, conveniently by means of cap screws 22 passing through webs 2| and screwing into lugs 23 formed integrally with flanges 20 at "rl'pheries'ofriugs 24Jare beveled, the

2 V v Imus to webs2l'of sleeves i3 seas to be held against. rotation. sealing rings are suitably secured.

convenientlyby means of screws 23, to e'nds of the hubs ll of the discs. The outer'peof on hubs n. being providcdlwith'annulsr rebeveled-similarb to and constitut ntinu'atlons of thebeveled surfaces of the rings", as shown. Each ring 241s further videdfltitsiinner periphery, with an angular flange 23 which has bearin'ghpon hose 2. of

in the disc.

ring is and-extends between the latter flange and the inner end of sleeve l3. It will also be noted that the outer portion Ila of huh I! of the disc isgthickened, and has bearing in hub i2 of.

easing section Ii. A thrust ring 21 is disposed within hub l2 between the outer end thereof and the flange of bushing ll. Adjusting screws 23 are threaded'through the outer end of hub i2 and bear against the outer face of ring 21. This provides means whereby the disc is may be adjusted inward of the casing so as to assure sealing contact between spacing ring l3 and the sealing rings 24, while also providing a highly efficient mounting for the respective discs for reducing tendency to tilt or rock thereof, while preventing objectionable wear of parts.

The outer ends of sleeves l3 are closed by flanged discs 30 which fit snugly into the sleeves, these discs being secured in position by a tie rod 3| passing therethrough and having nuts 32 screwed upon its ends and bearing against the outer faces of discs 33, webs 2| of sleeves l3 being provided with central openings 33 which accommodate rod 3|. Tubes 34 pass through discs 33 and thread into elbows 35 which screw into sleeve I3 and are connected, by ducts extending therefrom through sleeve l3 and bushing l4, to the bearing surfaces of the bushings l4 and i3. Fittings 38 are mounted upon the outer ends of tubes 34 for supplying lubricant through the latter to the bearing surfaces. These fittings 38 are of known type and need not be illustrated nor described in detail. Tubes 31, provided at their outer ends with fittings 33, extend through discs 30 and webs 2i of sleeve l3, and are connected by elbows 39 and associated ducts to the bearing surfaces of sealing rings 24 and spacing ring I3. I .also provide fittings 40 screwed into hubs l2 and connected by ducts 4| to the bearing surfacesv between the outer end portions Ila of disc hubs l1 and the inner surface of hubs l2 of the casing It. In this manner the various bearing surfaces may be lubricated with expedition and facility as required. It will be noted that flange 23 of each of the sealing rings 24 terminates short of the inner face of web 2i of sleeve l3, providing an annular channel 42 at the inner face of the web, the latter being provided with ducts 43 opening into this channel. Any liquid which may leak past the sealing rings 24 flows into channel 42 and thence through ducts 43 into sleeve I3. The latter is drained by means of an elbow 44 screwed into disc 33, at the lowermost point thereof within the circumference of the outer end of the sleeve, this elbow being in register with an opening 45 I thus provide means for adequate lubrication of the various bearing surfaces while also assuring proper drainage of any liquid which may leak about the sealing ring 24. This eliminates possibility of liquid which leaks past the sealing rings 24 having access to the bearing,

which theybear "l nkifllnlfl ll gear being provided with an inwardly miecflng flange 43 whichextends across the outer flange. 'lhrustrollers (l'iguresl I are rotatably mounted upon casing ll adjacent the lower portion and at opposite sides and project .through openings 30 in the ringgears 4'I,v The minimum distance betw the discs l3, during rotation thereof, is at lower portion of the discs, as shown in Figure 3, andtherollers 43servetotaketheoutward thrust of this portion of the discs in the iinal stages of the pressing operation, thus effectively holding the discs against outward movement and preventing subjecting of the discs and associated parts to excessive stresses and possible breakage, such as would occur were notthese rollers pro vided. Thrust rollers of this general type are known in the art and need not be illustrated nor described in greater detail, it sufllcing to state that such rollers are provided and have associated therewith adiusting means for moving them to and from the discs as required The water or other liquid pressed from the material through the discs l3 and flows into the lower portion of casing Ill, from which it escapes through openings through the bottom of the casing, shown in Figure 3, and, in part, through openings 33 if the openings 3| .prove inadequate. The liquid flows into a suitable receptacle or trough 32 supported beneath the press upon a base frame 53, the latter also supporting the press. The receptacle or trough I2 is provided with a suitable discharge opening 54.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a supporting frame 53, of suitable type, is mounted upon base frame 53 adjacent one side of the press. An electric motor It is mounted upon frame 33, at the lower portion thereof, and has sprocket and chain drive connection 51 to a variable speed transmission unit 53 of known type mounted upon the upper portion of frame 55. Any suitable known variable speed transmission may be used, within the scope of my invention.

The transmission unit 53 has driving connection, through a suitable coupling 53, to a speed reducing unit 60 also mounted upon the upper portion of frame. The latter unit has driving connection, through a coupling i l, to a drive shaft 62 rotatably mounted through bearing sleeve j 33 carried by the casing sections ll, Pinions 34 are keyed upon the ends of shaft 62 and mesh.

' limits, to mee requirements. The variable speed drive is highly important and, to my knowledge, is broadly new as applied to a press of this type. In order to assure that the material discharged from the press is in best condition for subsequent treatment, such as drying, it is necessary that the material subjected to pressure at the lower portion of the press contain an adequate pro-- In this manner the discs l3 may be portion of solids.

If the material as delivered to the press contains an excessive amount of water or other liquid the press should be operated at relatively low speed so that a considerable proportion of the water may drain of! through the discs, assuring that an adequate amount of solids is between the lower portions of the discs during the pressing operation. On the other hand, if the material as delivered to the press contains 'but little or no excess moisture, the proportion of solids being correspondingly high, the press may be operated at relatively high speed. This permits operation of the press at different speeds in accordance with the condition of the material as delivered to the press, which rendersit possible to assure that the material as discharged from the press has a substantially uniform moisture content regardless'of variations in moisture content of the material as delivered to the press. This is of considerable importance from the practical standpoint as permitting the further treatment of the material, such as drying thereof, to be conducted to the best advantage, thus increasing the rate of production as to the finished material while assuring that the latter will be in a uniform and most desirable condition.

A channel ring 10 fits into each casing section II concentrically with disc I! and is suitably secured in position, as by means of countersunk flat-head screws, as at H. A sealing ring 12, preferably formed of stainless steel, is mounted in channel ring HI and has sealing contact with the periphery of disc l8. Ring 12 is split, as shown in Figure 4, and may be adjusted by means of dog-point screws 13 which pass through the wall of casing section II and are threaded through channel ring Ill. The points of screws 13 engage into recesses in the outer face of ring 12 and the latter may be contracted, by means of screws 13, into sealing contact with the periphery of disc l8 to compensate for wear of the latter. The lateral faces of ring 12 have sealing contact with the flanges of channel ring 10, the latter and the sealing ring I2 thus cooperating to prevent objectionable leakage between the casing section andthe disc at the periphery of the latter, and eliminating possibility of escape, at this point, of any of the solid material from between the discs. -The casing sections II are provided, at the upper portion of each, with upwardly projecting flanges l5 cooperating to define a rectangular inlet opening 16 for delivering the material between the discs l8 at the upper portion of the press. A deliveryhopper 11 seats upon and is bolted to flanges 15, this hopper being provided at its upper end with a flange 18. The latter flange, in practice, may be bolted to the lower end of a valve controlled conduit or, chute leading from a bin or other suitable source of supply, by means of which the material to be operated upon is delivered to hopper 11 and thence through opening 16 into the press. The hopper 11 has its inner or back wall extended downward to provide a partition member 19 which extends downward to the spacing ring Hi, this member conforming to the space between the discs and serving effectively to close such space. Each casing section is further provided with an outwardly projecting flange extending downward from flange 15, the flanges 8U deflning an opening 16a of less area than and extending downward from opening I6. Opening 16a normally is closed by a door 8| provided with lateral flanges 82 which flt within the flanges 00, this door also being provided with a suitable handle 83. A rod 84 is 3 inserted through flanges 82, adjacent the upper end of door 8|, this rod also passing through flanges 80. Door BI is further provided with an upwardly extending flange 85 of considerable width, which is suitably secured, as by means of cap screws 86, to the lower portion of the front wall of hopper II. By removing door 8| access may be had to the space between the discs l8, and by removing this door and the hopper 11 an opening of considerable extent is provided at the upper portion of the casing, through which opening the strainer plates of the discs may be removed and replaced, as will he more fully explained presently.

Each casing section II is provided, at the op posite side of the axis of casing Hi from hopper 11, with an outwardly extending flange of approximately elongated U-shape. These flanges OI deflne an outlet or discharge opening 9| tapering in width downward of casing l0. Conveniently, flanges 90 are suitably bored and tapped for reception of cap-screws by means of which a chute or other suitable conduit may be at tached to the flanges in position to receive material discharged through the opening 9|, for the purpose of delivering the pressed material to a dryer or other apparatus for further treatment. A deflector 92, shown in Figure 4, is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to flanges 90 at the top thereof and extends downward within the press, the lower portion of this deflector, designated 82a, being bent downward at an angle and.

having its end beveled and in contact with the spacing ring l9. Deflector 92 is shaped to fit snugly between the discs I8 and close the space therebetween. The material is delivered between the discs through the hopper Ti and, during rotation of the discs, the lower portions thereof are .moved towards each other so that the material in the lower portion of the press is subjected to considerable pressure and, in the continued rotation of the discs, the pressed material is directed through the discharge opening Si by means of the deflector 92, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4, from certain of which arrows it will be noted that the rotation of the discs is counterclockwise as viewed in this figure. This operation of the press, broadly considered, is known in the art and need not bedescribed in greater detail.

Each of the pressure discs I8 is provided, at its inner face, with a plurality of strainer plates. I have shown six plates for each disc, though the number of plates may be varied, within limits, as will be understood. Each of these plates comprises a body 94 and a screen 95, the plate in its entirety being designated 93. Body 94 extends from sealing ring 24, upon the outer edge of which the inner edge of body 94 seats, to the periphery of disc l8. Screen 95 conforms in shape to body 94 and is secured thereto in a suitable manner, as by means of rivets 96. The strainer plate thus constitutes a sector of the disc. At its inner face body 94 of the strainer plate is provided with a plurality of projections spaced sufliciently close together effectively to support the screen 95, these projections defining intercommunicating grooves from certain of which passages 91 ex tend through body 94 of the strainer plate. This assures that the water or liquid expressed from the solids of the material being treated will readily pass through the strainer plate. Body 94 of the strainer plate is also provided, in its outer face, with suitably disposed depressions and grooves, into certain of which the passages 91 open. These depressions are disposed to com- 4 municate with openings a ms the at. n.

Inthismanneatheexprmdliqmdcanreadily pass through the discs onto flanges 40 from which it fiows 'into-thecasing I and thence through. the op'eningc'lh'lhe construction of the strainer-plates discs, with reference to the openings passages therein, is, in genings I00 and a squared depression IOI extending about the respective openings. Depression III receives the correspondingly shaped head I02 of a bolt I00 passing through the plate and the disc, a securing nut I04 being screwed upon the outer end of the bolt. The strainer plates of the discs I0 are thus demountably secured upon the latter. The casing sections II are suitably provided with openings, normally closed by screw plugs I05 removably held in position in a known manner, so that access may be had tonuts I04 for removal therefrom of the bolts I03. After removal of nuts I04 the bolts I03 are removed, thus permitting removal of the strainer plates through the openings I8 and 16a. In this manner, the strainer plates may be removed and replaced as required.

The strainer plates 93 are spaced apart, as shown in Figure 4, and each of the discs is provided with radial slots I08 extending from the periphery thereof to the spacing ring I 9, disposed between the plates. Slots I06 accommodate vanes I01, each comprising an elongated head I08 and a shank I09 extending through the disc and projecting outward thereof. A trunnion bracket H0 is bolted to shank I00 of the respective vanes and carries rollers III which contact a cam track H2 at the inner face of each casing section II. Guide rails III, of Z-shape in cross section, are bolted to the cam track I I2 and overlie the rollers I I I, cooperating therewith and with the cam track for imparting the proper movement to the vanes.

In Figure 6 the cam track I I2 is shown in face view and in Figure '7 a development of this track is shown in section. Referring to these two flgures, track I I2 increases in thickness from A to B so as to present an upwardly or inwardly inclined surface between these two points, is of uniform thickness from B to C, presenting a horizontal or non-inclined surface between these latter points, decreases in thickness from C to D so as to provide a downwardly or outwardly inclined surface between these points, is provided with an abrupt downwardly or outwardly extending shoulder extending from D to E, and is of uniform thickness from E to A, so as to provide a non-inclined or horizontal surface between these two points. In Figure 6 the hopper I1, partition 19 and discharge opening 9| have been indicated by dot-and-dash lines for purposes of explanation. The pressure discs are rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figure 6, and it will be noted that the vanes, shortly after passing the partition I9, travel along the inclined surface a'B so as to be projected inward between the discs. The material to be pressed is delivered between the discs so as to maintain the space therebetween continuously filled. When the rollers III reach point B the vane is projected inward to its maxia arm mum extent and remainl lo was. until reachesthepointc. Inthemeantimathepre theassociatedrollm III of which traveling along surface 0-D, remains Themes f disposed that the vanes'jof 'each'pair. roiectod, are inoverlapping juxtaposed and eifectivelycloce' the'space between the discs. In this at the lower portion of the casing, where the final preu ing operation is performed. is confined within a compartment closed both radially and, circumferentially ofthe discs to escape of the material. This will be understood froml 'lgures 3 and 5,v showing the positions of the vanes at the lower portion of the casing, the latter figure showing two pairs of vanes in their fully projected and overlapping positions. By confining the mate-' rial in this manner I eflectively prevent escape of material from between the discs at the area manner assures the presence between the pressrng'ireasof the discs of a sufllcient quantity or material to mare that the pressed material will not have a moisture content in excess of that required for most efficient subsequent treatment of the material, which is of considerable practical importance.

In the continued rotation of the discs the rollers II I travel down the shoulder D-E, thus completely retracting the vane before it reaches the deflector 92. ing travel of the rollers ill from E to A, that is, during travel of the vane from position E of Figure 6, in advance of deflector 92, to position A of this figure, beyond partition IS. The movements of the vanes are timed with respect to rotation of the pressure discs, as above, and the maximum projection of the vanes is such as to prevent objectionable contact of the vanes of either of the discs with the other disc. While the vanes are preferably so arranged as to be disposed in pairs in overlapping juxtaposed relation, when projected, they may be otherwise suitably disposed within the broader aspects of my invention.

The discs proper I8 are of substantially conical shape, as previously stated, the central portions thereof, defined in part by the sealing rings 24, being fiat and normal to the axes of the hubs I'I. During rotation of the discs they move toward and away from each other, being oppositely in-' clined, the minimum distance between the discs being at the bottom or lower portion of the press. If the pressure applying surfaces of the discs were shaped in this manner, the portions of such surfaces at the lower portion of the press would define a space flaring radially of the discs toward the peripheries thereof and also flaring circumferentially of the discs from a plane extending transversely of this space centrally thereof, this plane passing through the points of the opposed surfaces which are a minimum distance apart in the rotation of the discs. This means that the material being acted upon would be subjected to maximum pressure along a line extending radially of the discs, with the pressure decreasing in opposite directions from this line circumferentially of the discs, the pressure also decreasing radially The vane is held retracted durof the discs. This renders it difiicult for the discs effectively to retain the material between them during the pressing operation, with the result that this material, if it contains a considerable amount of moisture, is apt to be merely displaced between the discs and not subjected to any effective pressure, particularly if the material is slippery or slimy in character, which is frequently the case. I avoid this difficulty by forming the strainer plates of the discs in a novel manner.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be noted that the respective strainer plates 93 increase in thickness from midpoint 93a thereof to each side 93b, the outer face of the plate being curved transversely to fit the corresponding area of disc IS, the inner face of this plate being fiat and normal to the axis of rotation of the disc. The opposed pair of strainer plates carried by the opposed discs thus provide opposed pressure applying surfaces of considerable area approximating sectors of the discs, the surfaces of two opposed plates at the lower portion of the casing being disposed in parallelism circumferentially of the discs and also in substantial parallelism radially of the discs. The discs may thus be considered as provided with a plurality of fiat contiguous pressure applying surfaces of considerable area, which surfaces, during rotation of the discs, are brought into parallelism and into position effective for applying maximum pressure to the material between these surfaces. In this manner the material operated upon is subjected to maximum pressure throughout a considerable area, rather than along a line only, asin presses of present type above referred to, which is conducive to high speed operation of the press and resulting increase in capacity, while eliminating slippage of excessively wet material when subjected'to pressure between the discs. This, in conjunction with the vanes providing, with the discs and associated parts, closed compartments at the lower portion of the press, renders it possible to handle, with expedition and facility, materials of various sorts, even when such materials contain excessive amounts of moisture in such proportion as would render pressing thereof in rotary presses of ordinary type difficult or impossible. My invention comprehends setting the pressure discs at such an inclination that the space or compartment between the lower portions of these discs, in which the material is subjected to final maximum pressure, is of truly uniform width radially of the discs, though in many cases this is not necessary, but this space should not flare radially of the discs to any considerable extent.

I claim:-

1. In a press of the character described, a casing, two opposed discs mounted within said casing for rotation about oppositely inclined axes, means closing the space between the central portions of said discs and sealing the central portion of the respective discs, means for directly driving both of said discs in unison, radial vanes slidable through the respective discs in the direction of the axis thereof and spaced apart circumferentially df said discs, said vanes when projected closing the space between said discs,

and means for projecting -and retracting said vanes in timed relation to rotation of said discs, said vanes extending radially of said discs from said central portions to the peripheries thereof and said'casing closing the space between said discs at the outer ends of the projected vanes.

2. In a press of the character described, a casing, two opposed discs mounted within said casing for rotation about oppositely inclined axes, means closing the space between the central portions of said discs and sealing the central portion of the respective discs, means for directly driving both of said discs in unison, a plurality of vanes slidable through the respective discs parallel to the axis thereof, said vanes extending radially of the discs from the periphery thereof to said closing and sealing means and cooperating with the latter and said casing and said discs, when projected, to provide compartments substantially corresponding to sectors of said discs and closed radially and circumferentially thereof, and means for projecting and retracting said vanes in timed relation to rotation of said discs.

3. In a. press of the character described, a casing, two opposed discs mounted within said casing for rotation about oppositely inclined axes, mear'is closing the space between the central portions of said discs and sealing the central portion of the respective discs, means for directly driving both of said discs in unison, a plurality of vanes slidable through the respective discs parallel to the axis thereof, said vanes extending radially of the discs from the periphery thereof to said closing and sealing means, the vanes of one disc being offset circumferentially thereof relative to the vanes of the other disc such that the vanes of said discs, when projected, are disposed in pairs with those of each pair overlapping and closing the space between said discs, and means for projecting and retracting said vanes in timed relation to rotation of said discs, said vanes when projected cooperating with said closing and sealing means and said casing to provide compartments substantially corresponding to sectors of said discs and closed radially and circumferentially thereof.

4. In a press of the character described, a casing provided at its sides with oppositely inclined inwardly projecting bearing sleeves, two opposed discs within said casing each having an outwardly projecting axial hub rotatably mounted on said sleeves, a tapered spacing member disposed between said discs and fixed to said sleeves, and sealing rings secured to said discs and bearing upon said spacing member, said sleeves being provided with means for admitting thereto liquid leaking past said rings and having drainage outlets.

5. In a press of the character described, a casing provided at its sides with oppositely inclined inwardly projecting bearing sleeves, two opposed discs within said casing each having an outwardly projecting axial hub rotatably mounted on said sleeves, a tapered spacing member disposed between said discs and fixed to said sleeves, and sealing rings secured to said discs and bearing upon said spacing member.

6. In a press of the character described, a casing provided at each side with a hub and an inwardly projecting sleeve concentric with and spaced from said hub, said hub and said sleeve being inclined downward and outward of said casing, two opposed discs within said casing each having an outwardly projecting axial hub, said hubs being rotatably mounted on said sleeves with their outer portions fitting into said casing hubs, a tapered spacing ring disposed between said discs and fixed to said sleeves, and sealing rings secured to said discs in sealing contact with said spacing ring, said sealing rings having flanges fitting into the inner ends of said sleeves.

7. In a press of the character described, two

'ner faces of conical formation, strainer plates moun'ted'upon the inner faces of said discs and defining pyramidal frustra with the plates respectively forming sectors thereof, the outer faces of said, plates being curved conformably to the inner faces of said discs and the inner faces of said plates being flat, the lateral edges of said plates being spaced apart and said discs having radial slots opening between adjacent plates, vanes slidable through said slots and between the plates in the direction of the axis of the respective discs, and means for projecting and retracting said vanes in timed relation to rotation of said discs.

9. In a press of the character described, two opposed discs rotatable about oppositely inclined axes, and means for rotating said discs in unison, the opposed faces of said discs being provided with flat surfaces of considerable area and extent circumferentialiy of said discs, said surfaces being inclined inwardly and radially of said discs at such an angle that a flat surface on one of said discs isdisposed in substantial pars-lie with a flat surface on the other of said discs both radially and circumferentially of the discs, when said pair of surfaces are spaced their minimum distance apart in the rotation of said discs.

10. In a press of the character described, two opposed discs rotatable about oppositely inclined axes, and means for rotating said discs in unison, the opposed faces of said discs being provided with flat surfaces of considerable width circumferentially of the discs defining sectors of the respective discs, said surfaces being inclined inwardly and radially of said discs at such an angle that a flat surface on one of said discs is disposed in substantial parallelism with a flat surface on the other of said discs both radially and circumferentlally of the discs, when said pair of surfaces are spaced their minimum distance apart in the rotation of said discs.

11. In a press of the character described, two opposed perforated conical discs rotatable about oppositely inclined axes, means for rotating said 

